New Fantasyland was the biggest expansion in Magic Kingdom’s history, but not everything went as planned. Here’s how the project changed and evolved, mostly for the better, as it was built from 2009 to 2014.

Opening in phases, New Fantasyland was touted as the largest single expansion to the Magic Kingdom since it opened in 1971. The expansion added a few new areas to the land, along with several new rides, attractions, and dining options. It was also a good use of empty spaces created by not replacing previously closed attractions around the area. But what we got wasn’t exactly what was first announced a few years earlier. Let’s look back at how a princess-centric expansion was reevaluated, and actually improved, at Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland.

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Original footage by Cheryl Marshall. Additional clips by Alicia Stella.

VIDEO SOURCES
New Fantasyland Commercial:
New Fantasyland Announcement 2009:
Magic of Walt Disney World 1972:
Ariel’s Grotto 2000:
Pooh’s Playful Spot:
Hidden Nautilus:
Tangled Bathrooms:
Barnstormer Ride:
Mickey’s Toontown Fair:
Tinkerbell Commercial:
New Fantasyland Model:
Storybook Circus Characters:
Storybook Circus Casey Jr:
Tom Staggs Presentation:
Snow White’s Scary Adventures:
Behind the Scenes Little Mermaid:
Building The Little Mermaid:
Behind the Scenes Belle’s Village:
Behind the Scenes Princess Fairytale Hall:
Mine Train POV:
Mine Train Opening:
Behind the Scenes Mine Train Cars:
Behind the Scenes Fairytale Hall/Mine Train:

IMAGE SOURCES
Groundbreaking Announcement 2010:
Announcement of Changes 2011:
Fantasyland Skyway Station:
New Fantasyland Model:
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Removed:
New Fantasyland Original Plans:
New Fantasyland Geared to Girls:
Goofy Coaster Sign:
Original Mine Train Layout:
Final Mine Train Layout:

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